Ceiling Zero

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Ceiling Zero

1935

1h 35m

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Former World War I aviator Jake Lee (Pat O'Brien) runs the Newark branch of an air freight company, with his fellow ace Tex Clarke (Stuart Erwin) as his best pilot. When their hot-dogging friend Dizzy Davis (James Cagney) comes looking for a job, Jake hires him despite warnings about Dizzy's brash and potentially dangerous ways. When Dizzy's attraction to tomboyish teenage greenhorn pilot "Tommy" Thomas (June Travis) jeopardizes another pilot's safety, it's up to him to try to save the day.

Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

In a sense this film is the kind of thing the movies do best; in another sense it is the sort of thing they seldom do at all. It has dash, vigor, the fascination of strange, deep and meaningful devices; but it carries a sting.

May 23, 2024

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The overlapping, speeding dialogue is perfectly launched, as Hawks cuts to the core of the play with his own meditations on personality and responsibility.

Jan 1, 2000

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Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

Cagney, as the last of the conceited roughnecks, turns in one of his real characterizations. Within the Cagney-Pat O'Brien pals-and-a-gal formula, the producers have managed to achieve a fresh and spirited film.

Apr 20, 2020

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

The action is superb, the characterization, especially in the case of James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, is sharp and believable.

Sep 25, 2019

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Nathanael Hood

The Retro Set

Cagney and Travis have a bubbly, magnetic attraction.

Rated: 6/10

Dec 28, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

An entertaining adventure story of an irresponsible but great civil airline pilot.

Rated: B

Oct 14, 2014

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Steve D

Depressing and not much else.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

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Audience Member

A pleasant adaptation of a theater play but it fails to offer the larger scope movies make possible. Over all the film lacks interest (I couldn't care less about the characters) and this sense of liberty that comes with an aeroplane.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Howard Hawks

Director

James Cagney

Dizzy Davis

Pat O'Brien

Jake L. Lee

June Travis

Tommy Thomas

Stu Erwin

Texas Clarke

Barton MacLane

Al Stone

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Synopsis

Former World War I aviator Jake Lee (Pat O'Brien) runs the Newark branch of an air freight company, with his fellow ace Tex Clarke (Stuart Erwin) as his best pilot. When their hot-dogging friend Dizzy Davis (James Cagney) comes looking for a job, Jake hires him despite warnings about Dizzy's brash and potentially dangerous ways. When Dizzy's attraction to tomboyish teenage greenhorn pilot "Tommy" Thomas (June Travis) jeopardizes another pilot's safety, it's up to him to try to save the day.

Director: Howard Hawks
Producer: Hal B. Wallis, Jack L. Warner
Screenwriter: Frank Wead
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 35m